Tuesday, March 17, 2020
The City of Miami Beach is working diligently every day to implement unprecedented measures to mitigate the impact to residents, businesses and visitors from the threat of COVID-19. The coming weeks will bring a change to the face of your local government. City departments will be implementing telephonic meetings, alternate day schedules, telecommuting and other creative ways to ensure you continue to receive the services you need.

Click here to view the latest emergency measures that have been enacted by the City of Miami Beach as a result of the rising number of coronavirus cases nationwide. For additional information on the city’s efforts, including all emergency measures being enforced, please visit  www.miamibeachfl.gov/coronavirus .

Citywide Impacts
A brief summary of the city’s measures include:

Effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020 the following businesses shall be closed to the public until further notice:

  • All movie theaters, bowling alleys, arcades and live performance venues.
  • All gymnasiums and fitness centers, EXCEPT for gymnasiums or fitness centers which are located within hotels or residential multi-family buildings.
  • All restaurants, bars, nightclubs, dance halls, halls for hire (including restaurants, bars, nightclubs, banquet halls, ballrooms, or similar establishments operating within hotels), private clubs and similar businesses shall be required to CLOSE for on-premises service of customers until further notice. However, such establishments may operate their kitchens for the purpose of providing delivery, drive-through, pick-up or take-out services only, from 5 a.m. until midnight each day.

Please note that the Governor of the State of Florida issued an Executive Order today, setting state-wide minimum standards with respect to the operation of bars, nightclubs and restaurants, effective at 5 p.m. today. A link to the Governor’s Executive Order is included here . Notwithstanding the Governor’s Order, City’s establishments must also fully comply with the measures issued by the City of Miami Beach, commencing at 12:01 a.m on March 18, 2020. 

  • All other businesses citywide must close at 10 p.m. daily and may reopen at 5 a.m. the following day.
  • However, the following businesses are excluded from this mandate: pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience stores, private offices, banks, hotels, hospitals, medical service providers, medical supply stores, hardware stores, gasoline service stations and automotive supply/repair centers.
  • Any gathering of 10 or more people on any portion of the beach citywide is prohibited and will be dispersed. This measure is consistent with the direction from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  • A 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew shall be in effect in the city’s entertainment district each day. Please note this does not include business employees going to or from work.
  • Lummus park, all city parks and recreation buildings and indoor facilities, and the beaches between 5 and 15 streets are closed.
  • City owned parking garages and surface lots citywide will only be open to residents with proof of residency and access card holders.

Any violation of the aforementioned emergency measures would subject the individual or business entity to criminal penalties.

Resident Parking Rate Registration: COVID 19 Temporary Relief
We understand the challenges brought on by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused some level of inconvenience for us all. In order to alleviate some of those challenges, residents may park and will be honored in all municipal parking lots.

Miami Beach residents should register with the City for identification purposes when parked in municipal parking lots. This registration was initially developed for residents to receive a parking rate discount. However, for this  temporary  parking accommodation we are waiving some requirements to facilitate the registration process.

Miami Beach residents simply need to send an email to:  residentdiscount@miamibeachfl.gov  and attach their vehicle registration and a valid proof of Miami Beach Residency ( PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE ).

One of the following items must be provided: monthly bill/statement with the resident’s name and address. Current statement must have been mailed within the last 30 days.
  • Utility bill (electric, phone, gas, cable)
  • Mobile phone carrier statement
  • Bank statement
  • Credit card statement (credit card number must be obstructed)
  • Vehicle insurance statement
  • Mortgage statement
  • Property tax statement (last one received)
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: Internet/electronic bills are not accepted as proof of residency.

Registrations may take up to 48 hours to process. For more detailed information related to the Miami Beach Resident Parking Rate Program, please  click here.

Customer Service Center
For City of Miami Beach specific questions, please call our city hotline at 305.604.CITY (2489), open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Although the Customer Service Center will be open from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., we encourage you to use our online  Customer Service Center  if possible.

Commission Meeting
The upcoming Commission meeting being held tomorrow, March 18 will be televised on MBTV and streamed live on Facebook, but it will not have a Stanley Sutnick hour or public hearing. The Commission Chambers will be closed to the public. The only items on the agenda will be extending the City Manager's emergency powers and approving all Consent Agenda items that are not separated.

The Land Use and Sustainability Committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow has been rescheduled tentatively for Tuesday, March 31. The Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee meeting scheduled for Friday, March 20 has been cancelled.

Small Business Loan
Governor DeSantis has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Loan Program with up to $50 million, which will be supplementing federal Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. The application period opens today and will run through May 8. For more information visit  www.floridadisasterloan.org  or call 866.737.7232. View some helpful tools and resources for businesses expected to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Click here to read the latest e-blast to the business community.

Impacted Events
For a full list of impacted events, additional information on summer camps and more, please visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/coronavirus .
The City of Miami Beach remains committed to ensuring the safety and public health of our residents, visitors and local businesses. As the information is changing rapidly pertaining to COVID-19, the administration is conducting daily interdepartmental calls to monitor the progression of novel coronavirus COVID-19 to ensure that we stay informed and prepared to respond if needed. We are also closely following the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) as well as the School Board. 
 
Below is an ongoing summary of updates from the City of Miami Beach.

Precautionary Measures by the City of Miami Beach
We are continuing to ensure our spaces, including youth centers, beachfront restrooms and city facilities are being thoroughly cleaned. This includes the daily effort of wiping down every touch surface such as door handles, elevator push buttons, handrails and recreation equipment. Cleaning contractors are also providing additional training to staff to ensure proper cleaning techniques are utilized.

Recreational Facilities
The Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department will be implementing the following operational changes, effective Monday, March 16, 2020, through Sunday, March 29, 2020 :
  • All recreation centers will be closed
  • All recreation programs will be cancelled (the Playtime Program for registered toddlers will be cancelled effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020)
  • All athletic programs, games, practices and events will be cancelled
  • All Parks and Recreation Department events will be cancelled
  • New venue rentals for park facilities will not be processed during the above period; existing indoor venue rentals will be cancelled
  • All field trips will be cancelled
 
The Miami Beach Golf Club, Normandy Shores Golf Club, Flamingo Tennis Center, Miami Beach Tennis Center and Flamingo Park and Normandy Isle Park pools will remain open for non-programmed activities
 
The above changes are implemented in an abundance of caution as the health and safety of our residents and visitors is of the utmost importance. The operational changes and time periods described herein are subject to change at any moment. As such, you are encouraged to monitor the City’s website, www.miamibeachfl.gov/coronavir us
 
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 305.673.7730.
 
Also as a reminder, all registration for the City of Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department for Summer and Specialty Camp will be be  FULLY ONLINE  without the necessity to visit our facilities. Online Registration is mandatory
 
In order to ensure that you are ready to register online, registration dates will be changed to the following:
 
Summer Camp Registration
Summer Camp Registration for MB Residents – April 6, 8:30 AM
Summer Camp Registration for Non-Residents – May 4, 8:30 AM
 
Specialty Camp Registration
Specialty Camp Registration for MB Residents – April 20, 8:30 AM
Specialty Camp Registration for Non-Residents – May 4, 8:30 AM
 
Please take this time to login to your account, make sure your information and your child’s information is up to date and your financial aid information is updated, if applicable. Below you will find the most frequently asked questions about registration and this recent implementation. You can also email any questions to  cmbsummer2020@miamibeachfl.gov . We appreciate your understanding on this matter and are looking forward to a fun-filled summer. 

Building Department Closure
The Building Department's North Beach office, located at 962 Normandy Drive, will be closed to the public until further notice, as a precautionary measure. Customers may visit the main office located at City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive. Services are being performed, however slightly modified. Drop-off for plans will be located on the of First Floor of City Hall only. We encourage you to use any online services or email your questions to bpi@miamibeachfl.gov

Code Compliance Department
Effective immediately, Code Compliance walk-ins are closed. Residents or businesses that need assistance should call Code Compliance at 305.673.7555.

Film Permits
Under the city's State of Emergency Declaration, all film and photography permits, requested or issued, have been declined or rescinded, effective immediately until further notice.

Miami Beach Trolley
In response to the circumstances related to the COVID-19, in addition to standard daily cleaning practices, the City of Miami Beach and its trolley operator, Limousines of South Florida (LSF), have partnered in increasing the frequency of cleaning to help protect passengers from the spread of coronavirus.

In particular, “high touch” areas, including buttons, handholds, pull cords, and rails are being cleaned more frequently. As of, March 14, 2020, the City and LSF established dedicated stations with personnel sanitizing all trolley vehicles throughout the day. 

Moreover, every Miami Beach trolley vehicle is being deep-cleaned after every other route.
  • Based on availability, trolleys may be equipped with hand sanitizing gel or wipes.
  • When there is an unsanitary condition reported, it is standard practice for LSF to take the vehicle out of service immediately for cleaning and disinfecting.

Seniors are encouraged to limit their trolley usage to adhere to the CDC's recommendations to practice social distancing.

Business Assistance & Resources
View some helpful tools and resources for businesses expected to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Miami-Dade County Special Transportation Service (STS)
For elderly and those with special needs, the County offers an alternative mode of transportation that offers door-to-door transportation service from the main entrance of pick-up to the main entrance of drop-off locations. Please note that you MUST be eligible for these services in order to utilize them.

The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be used throughout Miami-Dade County ONLY for those that are eligible. Visit the County's website and learn more about the eligibility requirements.

Miami-Dade County Polling Locations 
The Elections Department is providing hand sanitizer at all Early Voting and Election Day locations in Miami-Dade County. Additionally, there are bathrooms at every polling place for hand washing. 

 At this time, elections will continue as scheduled per the State of Florida Division of Elections. On Election Day there will be a modification to the polling location at 200 Alton Road, Rebecca Towers. This location will continue to serve the voters who live in Rebecca Towers at this site and will relocate those voters who do not to another location – South Pointe Elementary School. Signage will be posted at Rebecca Towers informing voters of this change.

Seniors and Special Needs Community
All senior centers will be closed effective Monday, March 16 . Any seniors that are currently registered in a senior meals program will be served meals by their respective providers based on their specific plans.
  •  Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Center delivered meals today (3/13) for one week and will resume direct deliveries the following week based on their weekly schedule
  • Jewish Community Services will begin delivering directly to homes on Tuesday
  • UNIDAD will supply a weeks supply of shelf stable meals on Monday outside of the center and thereafter they will begin delivering a week supply directly to homes based on the scheduled given when food is picked up on Monday.
 
Many pharmacies are allowing for free deliveries of prescriptions. We recommend stocking up on any needed prescriptions now. Click HERE for information on pharmacies in English and Spanish. 

It remains important that the elderly and vulnerable populations take proper precautions at this time. The city is working with our elderly housing and congregant meal sites to help disseminate the most current and relevant health information to our seniors. According to the CDC, the following people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness:

  • Older adults
  • People who have serious chronic medical conditions like:
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Lung disease

If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease such as:

 
During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home  as much as possible.  

Prevention Starts With You
The CDC urges everyone to do their part to help during this emerging public health threat, this includes:
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
  • Take personal responsibility. If you are sick with a fever, cough or viral symptoms, please stay away from others, including the work environment and crowded area

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, you can learn more about prevention and treatment by visiting the CDC website .

Frequently Asked Question Per the CDC
Can someone spread the virus without being sick?

People are thought to be the most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest). Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

For more information visit the CDC webpage .

Stay Informed
For updated information on the city’s efforts, please visit: www.MiamiBeachFl.gov/coronavirus . We will also be posting updated messages via email , Nextdoor , Facebook or Twitter.